--- title: "Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077" url: https://gbwestside.com/gracie-barra-westside-albuquerque-when-should-you-consider-adding-no-gi-training-to-your-routine-phone-1-505-818-8077/ author: gbadmin02 date: 2026-05-14T12:04:00-07:00 categories: [Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077] tags: [Albuquerque Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ, BJJ community, BJJ for all levels, BJJ for beginners, BJJ in New Mexico, black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, character development, competition team, developing leadership through BJJ, discipline in Jiu-Jitsu, Equipe GB, free Jiu-Jitsu class, Gracie Barra athletes, Gracie Barra for women, Gracie Barra legacy, Gracie Barra New Mexico, Gracie Barra philosophy, Gracie Barra training, Gracie Barra training environment, Gracie Barra vision, Gracie Barra Westside, Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077, Jiu-Jitsu academy, Jiu-Jitsu classes, Jiu-Jitsu community building, Jiu-Jitsu competition, Jiu-Jitsu culture, Jiu-Jitsu empowerment, Jiu-Jitsu excellence, Jiu-Jitsu family values, Jiu-Jitsu for advanced practitioners, Jiu-Jitsu for fitness, Jiu-Jitsu for kids, Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, Jiu-Jitsu skills, Jiu-Jitsu strategies, Jiu-Jitsu success, Jiu-Jitsu techniques, Jiu-Jitsu training, martial arts community, Master Carlos Gracie Jr., mental toughness in Jiu-Jitsu, personal development, personal growth in Jiu-Jitsu, physical conditioning, Professor Roberto Tussa, red shield, resilience in Jiu-Jitsu, respect in Jiu-Jitsu, start Jiu-Jitsu journey, strength through Jiu-Jitsu, top-tier instruction, world champion Jiu-Jitsu] --- # Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077 If you have spent any real time on the mats at [***Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), you know the feeling of that heavy cotton gi soaking up sweat while you try to find a grip on a collar. It is the traditional way to learn, and it is brilliant for [***technical precision***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/). But eventually, you are going to see a group of people training in shorts and rash guards, sliding around like they are covered in oil, and you will wonder if you are missing out. The truth is that you should think about adding [***no gi***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) to your routine the moment you start feeling comfortable in your pajamas. When you wear the gi, you have handles. You can grab a sleeve or a lapel to slow the game down and stall an opponent. In the real world, especially in a place like New Mexico where people are often just wearing a t-shirt or a tank top, those handles do not exist. No Gi forces you to stop relying on cloth and start relying on actual body mechanics like underhooks, neck control, and wrist ties. [***Start your jiu-jitsu journey today: schedule your free class at Gracie Barra Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) [![Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Gracie-Barra-Westside-Albuquerque-When-should-you-consider-adding-no-gi-training-to-your-routine-Phone-1-505-818-8077-1.jpg)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine | Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) You really know it is time to make the jump when your game starts feeling a bit stagnant. If you find yourself constantly hunting for the same collar choke, your brain is getting lazy. Taking away the gi strips your ego down. You will realize very quickly that your escapes might not be as good as you thought they were when you can’t just hold onto a pant leg to keep someone from passing. It is a faster, more athletic version of the sport that demands better [***cardiovascular health***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) and much quicker reactions. Another great reason to mix it up at the [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) location is the sheer physical honesty of No Gi. Because there is so much more friction in the gi, you can sometimes get away with being a bit slow or out of shape. In [***no gi***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), if you aren’t moving, you are losing. It forces you to develop a different kind of pressure and a more scramble-heavy style. It is honestly some of the most fun you can have on the mats because the pace is so high. Adding at least one or two No Gi sessions a week makes your traditional [***Brazilian jiu-jitsu***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) better. When you go back to the gi after a week of No Gi, you will find that your movements are tighter and your grip strength feels like it has doubled. You stop reaching for fabric and start controlling the person’s actual skeleton. It makes you a more rounded martial artist and ensures that if things ever go south in a parking lot or a grocery store, you won’t be looking for a lapel that isn’t there. If you are already training a few days a week, just swap one session out. You will probably feel like a fish out of water for the first few weeks, slipping and sliding all over the place, but that is exactly why you need to do it. The best version of your [***Jiu Jitsu***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) is the one that works regardless of what the other person is wearing. ***Getting Started at Gracie Barra Is Easy: ***[***SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)***!*** [***Gracie Barra Westside: discover superior martial arts training in New Mexico Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) *** *** [![The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Westside, New Mexico!](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The-Best-Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-in-Westside-New-Mexico.jpg)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Westside, New Mexico!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) ## ***Gracie Barra Westside: come to the best jiu-jitsu academy in New Mexico!*** [***Gracie Barra Westside, NM***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) is not just a school for Brazilian [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/) ([**BJJ**](https://gbwestside.com/bjj-for-beginners-near-me/)); it’s a thriving community grounded in the values of brotherhood, integrity, and personal development. Founded by Master Carlos Gracie Jr., the legacy of Gracie Barra has become one of the most recognized names in the world of [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/), with its red shield symbolizing excellence, dedication, and the passing of knowledge from the Gracie family to the next generation of athletes. Under the leadership of [***Professor Roberto “Tussa” Alencar***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), a 4th-degree black belt and a world champion in the sport, Gracie Barra [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) offers top-tier instruction and a welcoming environment for students of all levels. With over 16 years of experience in Brazilian [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/), Professor Tussa has built a strong following in both California and New Mexico, cultivating a community of dedicated practitioners who strive for excellence on and off the mats. At [***Gracie Barra Westside***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), students not only learn the techniques and strategies that define Brazilian [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/) but also develop valuable life skills such as discipline, respect, and resilience. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, the focus is always on personal growth, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence. The Gracie Barra competition team, known as Equipe GB, fosters athletic development and builds pride within the community, offering students the opportunity to compete and excel at the highest levels. [***Start your jiu-jitsu journey today: schedule your free class at Gracie Barra Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) Gracie Barra is not just about teaching [**Jiu-Jitsu**](https://gbwestside.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-as-an-anti-bullying-tool-strengthening-body-mind-and-confidence-in-westside-new-mexico/); it’s about transforming lives through the practice of the art. With a comprehensive approach that includes physical conditioning, mental toughness, and character development, [***Gracie Barra Westside***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) provides a supportive environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential. If you’re looking to get started with [***Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/), Gracie Barra [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) New Mexico is the place for you. Schedule your free class today and experience the Gracie Barra legacy firsthand. The journey to better health, improved self-defense skills, and personal empowerment starts here at Gracie Barra [**Westside**](https://gbwestside.com/experience-top-level-jiu-jitsu-at-gb-westside-albuquerque/) New Mexico, located at 3200 La Orilla Rd NW, [**Albuquerque**](https://gbwestside.com/train-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-at-gracie-barra-westside-albuquerque/), NM 87120. ***Getting Started at Gracie Barra Is Easy: ***[***SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)***!*** [***Gracie Barra Westside: discover superior martial arts training in New Mexico Westside!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) [![Gracie Barra Westside, NM!](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Gracie-Barra-Westside-NM.jpg)](https://gbwestside.com/contact/)[***Gracie Barra Westside, NM!***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) # ***Gracie Barra Westside Albuquerque: When should you consider adding no-gi training to your routine ******| Phone: +1 (505) 818-8077*** [![Getting Started At Gracie Barra Is Easy SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS And Intro Session Absolutely FREE! 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Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey***](https://gbwestside.com/contact/) - [Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque in New Mexico](https://gbwestside.com/) ### Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque in New Mexico ![Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu West Side Albuquerque New Mexico](https://gbwestside.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GB-West-Side.jpeg)3200 La Orilla Rd NW [**Albuquerque**](https://gbwestside.com/train-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-at-gracie-barra-westside-albuquerque/), New Mexico 87120 United States (US)Phone: [+1 505 818-8077](tel:+15058188077) Secondary phone: [+1 505 818-8077](tel:+15058188077) URL: [https://gbwestside.com/](https://gbwestside.com/) | Thursday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM | | --- | --- | | Friday | 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM | | Saturday | Closed | | Sunday | Closed | | Monday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM | | Tuesday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM | | Wednesday | 6:00 AM - 9:30 PM |